Over 3,000 smuggled tortoises seized in China

The tortoises, weighing 86 kgs in total, were discovered by Huanggang Customs in Shenzhen at about 1 a.m. on Thursday in a truck, Wang Shaowen, an official with the customs office, was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The truck had been declared “empty” but when it was inspected a hidden compartment was discovered, which was where the tortoises were concealed.

The truck driver said he was carrying the tortoises “for someone else”, Wang said.